Scripture Collective Series

For twenty-five years, the Scripture Collective has produced a steady stream of world-class, global, diverse, and ecumenical publications that have impacted a generation of scholars around the globe, resourcing classrooms and regularly being cited in scholarly research. Below you will find information about the original 8-volume series, as well as the new volumes in our second series with Zondervan Academic.

The Second Series

Scripture Collective Series Vol. 2: Divine Action in Hebrews and the Ongoing Priesthood of Jesus

Recent years have seen renewed interest in divine action, but much of the literature tends to focus on the science-theology discussion. Resulting from multi-year work of the Scripture and Doctrine Seminar, part of KLC’s Scripture Collective, this book attends to the portrayal of divine action in one major biblical text, namely Hebrews. In the New Testament, Hebrews is on par with Romans in terms of importance but has too often been overlooked. Contributors to this volume explore the many different ways in which divine action is foregrounded and portrayed in Hebrews. As its name indicates, Hebrews overflows with Old Testament intertextuality, which also makes it a fertile ground for analysis of divine action stretching back into the Old Testament and opening out into different parts of the NT. The essays in this volume:

  • rigorously work the interface of theology and exegesis, all related to Hebrews;
  • offer an overview of the current state of discussion of divine action and the importance of exploring divine action in specific biblical texts, with special reference to William Abraham’s recent 4 volume work with OUP;
  • provide an overview of the reception history of Hebrews in theologies of divine action;
  • explore how this has this played out in historical theology and what a retrieval of Hebrews for a theology of divine action might mean today;
  • explore the relationship between the doctrine of God and divine action in Hebrews, including an engagement with classical theism;
  • provocatively explore divine action in the OT, creation, and eschatology in Hebrews;
  • explore the major theme in Hebrews of divine action through the ongoing priesthood of Jesus as portrayed in Hebrews;
  • relate this all to preaching Hebrews today and to spiritual formation.

 

The book’s conclusion reflects on the primary action of God speaking in Hebrews.

Scripture Collective Series Vol. 1: The Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar, 25th Anniversary: Retrospect and Prospect

In celebration of the 25th year of the seminar (1997-2022), this compendium reflects on its work and impact. It offers new essays that chart the value of the seminar for biblical interpretation and the needs of biblical interpretation in the future, and includes stories from the formative SAHS community. This volume distills the work of the seminar for a new generation of students, opening to them a gateway to the community and to the resources developed over the past two decades.

Tightly organized, carefully arranged and cross-referenced, this volume:

  • Highlights the work of a significant movement in biblical interpretation in the academy
  • Charts a path of biblical interpretation from the past to the future
  • Helps readers understand the philosophical and theological commitments that undergird biblical interpretation
  • Helps readers construct a theological hermeneutics that yields a deeper, richer reading of Scripture
  • Introduces readers to stories of the seminar from scholars and ministers impacted by it

 

This celebratory volume not only gives a unique perspective on the architecture of biblical interpretation in the first quarter of the twenty-first century, but it is offered in hope of preparing fertile soil for the next generation of women and men to cultivate biblical interpretation for years to come.

The volume features essays by Craig Bartholomew, David Beldman, Amber L. Bowen, Susan Bubbers, Jean-Louis Chrétien, Havilah Dharamraj, Bo Lim, Murray Rae, J. Aaron Simmons, Anthony Thiselton, and John Wyatt.

Scripture Collective: Original Series

The Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar Vol. 1: Renewing Biblical Interpretation

Renewing Biblical Interpretation is the first of eight volumes from the Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar. This annual gathering of Christian scholars from various disciplines was established in 1998 and aims to re-assess the discipline of biblical studies from the foundation up and forge creative new ways for re-opening the Bible in our cultures. Including a retrospective on the consultation by Walter Brueggemann, the contributors to Renewing Biblical Interpretation consider three elements in approaching the Bible―the historical, the literary and the theological―and the underlying philosophical issues that shape the way we think about literature and history.

The Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar Vol. 2: After Pentecost: Language and Biblical Interpretation

“There is always some view of language built into biblical interpretation. If we are to read Scripture to hear God’s address it is vital that we attend to current debates about language and become critically conscious in this respect.” – Craig Bartholomew.

After Pentecost is the second volume from the Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar. This annual gathering of Christian scholars from various disciplines was established in 1998 and aims to reassess the discipline of biblical studies from the foundations up and forge creative new ways for reopening the Bible in our cultures. The Seminar was aware from the outset that any renewal of biblical interpretation would have to attend to the issue of language. In this rich and creative volume the importance of linguistic issues for biblical interpretation is analyzed, the challenge of postmodernism is explored, and some of the most creative recent developments in philosophy and theology of language are assessed and updated for biblical interpretation.

The Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar Vol. 3: A Royal Priesthood? A Dialogue with Oliver O'Donovan

“Since September 11, 2001, we are intensely aware of the need for political wisdom. Can Scripture help us in this respect? Yes, but not simplistically. In an exhilarating dialogue with Oliver O’Donovan, a team of international scholars look in detail in this book at biblical interpretation as we make the journey from what God said to Abraham, as it were, to how to respond to the political challenges of today. Such exploration is essential if the church is to become “a royal priesthood” today.” – Craig Bartholomew

A Royal Priesthood? is the third volume from the Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar. This annual gathering of Christian scholars from various disciplines was established in 1998 and aims to reassess the discipline of biblical studies from the foundations up and forge creative new ways for reopening the Bible in our cultures. Any attempt to open the Book in new and fresh ways for our cultures at the start of the third millennium must explore how to read the Bible ethically and politically. This volume looks at the obstacles to such a process and in dialogue with Oliver O’Donovan’s creative work in this regard, looks in detail at how to read different parts of the Bible for ethics and politics. A unique element of the book is Oliver O’Donovan’s 14 responses to individual chapters.

The Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar Vol. 4: "Behind" the Text: History and Biblical Interpretation

Christianity believes in a God who acts in history. The Bible tells us the story of God’s actions in Israel, culminating in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth and the spreading of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. The issue of history is thus unavoidable when it comes to reading the Bible Volume 4 of the Scripture and Hermeneutics Series looks at how history has dominated biblical studies under the guise of historical criticism. This book explores ways in which different views of history influence interpretation. It considers the implications of a theology of history for biblical exegesis, and in several case studies it relates these insights to particular texts. “Behind” the Text examines the correlation between history and the Bible. For the scholar, student, and informed reader of the Bible, this volume highlights the importance of history for biblical interpretation, and looks at how history has and should influence interpretation.

The Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar Vol. 5: Out of Egypt: Biblical Theology and Biblical Interpretation

Biblical theology is crucial if we are to grasp the whole of the Bible and to do so on its own terms. In Out of Egypt, the fifth volume of the Scripture and Hermeneutics Series, the authors turn their attention to biblical theology and its importance for biblical interpretation.

The Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar Vol. 6: Reading Luke: Interpretation, Reflection, Formation

A rich and comprehensive volume―essential reading for all those interested in how to read Luke as relevant for today. In this sixth volume, the Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar brings its past six years of work on biblical hermeneutics to bear on the gospel according to Luke. In his introduction, Anthony Thiselton, world authority on biblical hermeneutics, sets the context for a wider ranging exploration of how to read Luke for God’s address today. Traditional and more contemporary approaches are brought into dialogue with each other as several top Lukan scholars reflect on how best to read Luke as Scripture. Topics covered include the purpose of Luke-Acts, biblical theology and Luke, narrative and Luke, reception history and Luke, the parables in Luke, a missional reading of Luke, and theological interpretation of Luke. Since prayer is a major theme in Luke, this volume explores not only the role of prayer in Luke, but also the relationship between prayer and exegesis.

The Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar Vol. 7: Canon and Biblical Interpretation

Drawing on a broad array of contributors, volume seven of the Scripture and Hermeneutics Series assesses the current state of canonical interpretation and uses that as a starting point for exploring ingredients in theological interpretation of the Bible today. Canon and Biblical Interpretation begins with a masterful examination of the canonical approach and the various criticisms that have been leveled against it. Additional chapters look at canonical interpretation in relation to different parts of the Bible, such as the Pentateuch, the Wisdom books, the Psalms, and the Gospels. Articles address such issues as canonical authority and the controversial relationship between canonical interpretation and general hermeneutics. A unique chapter explores the relationship between academic exegesis and lectio divina.

The Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar Vol. 8: The Bible and the University

In this final volume of the Scripture and Hermeneutic Series, a group of distinguished scholars have sought to understand the role of the Bible in relation to the disciplines in a fresh way. Offered in a spirit of humility and experimentally, the essays here consider the historic role of the Bible in the university, the status of theological reflection regarding Scripture among the disciplines today, the special role of Scripture in the development of law, the humanities and social sciences, and finally, the way the Bible speaks to issues of academic freedom, intellectual tolerance, and religious liberty.